It was a tale of two offensive explosions Thursday night. On one hand, the Akron RubberDucks erupted for 16 runs, led by a stellar performance from Bryson Myles. On the other hand, the Columbus Clippers allowed 18 runs, capped off by turning to Elliot Johnson to close out the game on the mound. Elsewhere, Adam Plutko made his Carolina League debut, Lake County *only* allowed eight runs (breaking the mold set by Akron and Columbus), and much more. Join Jim Piascik as he breaks it all down and takes you Around the Farm.

In today's Coach's Corner, Jim Piascik sat down with Double-A Akron manager Dave Wallace and talked about the RubberDucks' pitchers. After discussing hitters last week, this week they focused on the pitching side of the equation, including Cody Anderson's growth and the adjustments he is making, what Will Roberts is doing to improve in his second year in Akron, what is making Joe Colon so effective this season, discussing some of the new faces to the organization, and much, much more.

Tracking Jesus Aguilar throughout the minor league system it appeared that he had two tangible skills worth monitoring, on-base ability and power, which if developed would carry him to the big leagues. He had a big jump in his power numbers early this season with a transition to Huntington Park in Columbus, and the IBI's Michael Hattery offers up a case study as to why we need to take offensive performances in Columbus (and Akron) with a grain of salt.

With the month of June approaching, it is likely the time worthy players will start earning promotions to the next level. Adam Plutko started the process, moving from Lake County to Carolina, but a few others look primed to make jumps of their own. Lake County infielder Paul Hendrix is one, as he continues to rake, as is fellow Captain Jordan Milbrath. However, Wednesday's headliner, Cole Sulser, is not as close to a promotion as Hendrix or Milbrath, but the right-hander was impressive in his own right. Join Jim Piascik as he analyzes Sulser's turnaround and much more as he takes you Around the Farm.

Righthander Jordan Cooper dominated the Bowie Baysox over five shutout innings in game two of a doubleheader Wednesday night, leading the Akron RubberDucks to a 5-1 victory and a split in the twinbill at Prince George’s Stadium. The victory in game two, coupled with Bowie’s 3-1 win in game one, leaves the RubberDucks with a three-game lead in the EL West.

Today is the first “stock watch” of the 2014 season for players in the Indians’ minor league system. This report is a snapshot of a few players up and down the system and how their value may be decreasing or increasing as prospects. The IBI's Tony Lastoria reviews over 20 performances to date from Columbus to Lake County and provides details as to whose prospect stock is falling, improving, or has not changed. Players reviewed include Roberto Perez, Giovanny Urshela, Austin Adams, Jordan Smith, Joseph Colon, Tyler Sturdevant, Ryan Merritt, Louis Head, Eric Haase, Robbie Aviles and many others.

The RubberDucks finally cooled down a bit after their hot start, splitting a series with Altoona on the road, and losing three out of four at home against the Reading Fightin Phils. Akron’s record sits at 31-19 overall, still sitting atop the Eastern League West and second in the league overall behind the Portland Sea Dogs. The IBI's Spencer Davies recaps the week that was for Akron in his latest notebook...

Nine runs in the first three innings proved to be all the Akron RubberDucks needed to beat the Reading Fightin Phils, 9-0, Monday. Akron posted a solo run in the first, before adding five in the second and three in the third inning. RubberDucks starter Joseph Colon stole the show after the early offense, pitching a complete-game shutout while giving up just three hits and one walk and striking out four.

In front of 7,709 fans and the third sold out crowd of the year at Canal Park, the RubberDucks only managed to get seven hits and were shutout by the Reading Fightin Phils 3-0. Akron’s Toru Murata (3-1, 1.95) struggled early after striking out the side to start the game.

The WAR Room is back again, bringing you the 2014 advanced stats for every Cleveland minor leaguer. After looking at the pitchers last week, today we focus on the hitters. It is still early enough that there is some noise in the numbers, but at this point in the season, we are starting to see some interesting trends emerge. Join Jim Piascik as he breaks down the continuing success of Francisco Lindor and Paul Hendrix, the Jose Ramirez experience in Columbus, and much more.

The Akron RubberDucks took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning but the Reading Fightin Phils came back to tie it up with solo runs in the seventh and eighth innings. The game ended up going to 12 innings, when Reading scored in the top half and Akron couldn't answer. The RubberDucks finished with 12 hits compared to 10 for Reading.

Pitching stole the show for both the Akron RubberDucks and the Reading Fightin’ Phils, leading to a 12-inning, 2-1 win for the Fightin’ Phils at Friday night’s game in Canal Park. The scoreboard repeated zeros for 11 innings, with a home run by Reading’s Edgar Duran breaking the scoreless tie in the 12th inning. A RBI by Brock Stassi brought the Fightin’ Phils lead to 2-0 in the top of the 12th.

In today's massive-sized Minor Happenings that is well over 5000 words, the IBI's Tony Lastoria takes a look at how outfielder Tyler Naquin continues to improve every area of his game and really has just one question mark remaining and how he is working to answer that. He also provides a ton of quotes from Ross Atkins on players like Adam Plutko, Anthony Gallas, Francisco Lindor and others, takes a look at second baseman Claudio Bautista and why he is a prospect to keep an eye on, provides details into Robbie Aviles’ turnaround this season, and provides lots of news, insight and analysis on players like Frank Herrmann, Gabriel Arias, LeVon Washington, Dorssys Paulino and others.

The Columbus Clippers were on national television Thursday night, but the best story on the farm came from Ryan Merritt. The left-hander continued to impress in 2014 as he dominated in a unique way given the trends of today's game. In addition to Merritt, Lake County starter Dace Kime furthered his case that his early struggles are behind him, the Columbus bullpen essentially had open tryouts for the majors, Anthony Santander got two-thirds of Lake County's hits (not in a good way), and much more. Join Jim Piascik as he breaks it all down and takes you Around the Farm.

The Akron RubberDucks opened the top of the eighth with a pair of runs to cut the Altoona Curve’s lead to one, but the Curve ended the frame by posting three runs of its own on a Willy Garcia three-run home run to win 7-3 at People’s Natural Gas Field on Thursday.

Things were not as crazy down on the farm Wednesday as they were at Progressive Field, but there were still plenty of interesting things goings on. Headlining the night was outfielder -- which is still a little weird to write -- Dorssys Paulino, who has returned to Lake County swinging well. He was joined by Tyler Naquin continuing his hot streak, Clayton Cook's first game in 25 months, and much more. Join Jim Piascik as he breaks it all down and takes you Around the Farm.

The Akron RubberDucks found themselves down one after the fifth inning, but scored six runs in the final four frames to secure a 6-2 win agains the Altoona Curve, Wednesday. Tyler Naquin finished the day with four RBIs – including a three-run home run in the ninth inning to seal the victory. Starting pitcher Joseph Colon finished five innings with five hits and one run while striking out seven Altoona batters.

Akron right fielder Jordan Smith had the RubberDucks only extra-base hit when he doubled in the top of the fifth inning. This would prove to be vital, as a Tyler Naquin RBI single followed one batter later, and was the difference in Akron’s 1-0 victory in Altoona. The win evened the series at a game apiece with two more left to be played.

In today's Coach's Corner, Jim Piascik sat down with Double-A Akron manager Dave Wallace and talked about the RubberDucks' progress through roughly 40 games. They focused on the hitting side of the equation, talking about the continued improvement of Francisco Lindor and his readiness for the major leagues, what changes Giovanny Urshela made to key his hot start to the season, the development of Tyler Naquin, and much more.